Take all of Springer

Springer CEO Derk Hannk is quoted by Reuters suggesting the entire company is in play (Reuters)

The private equity firms Candover (CDI.L) and Cinven [CINV.UL], the owners of German academic publisher Springer Science and Business Media, are considering a full sale of the company, Chief Executive Derk Hannk said on Wednesday.

"For a while we were considered underleveraged, now we are considered overleveraged ... a straight sale is the preferred option," Hannk told Reuters on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Book Fair on Wednesday.

"We are owned by private equity and they have had a very good run for their investment for five, six years," he said, adding it may be time for new equity.